Contributors to Reality Therapy and Their Target Populations
Contributors to Reality Therapy and Their Target Populations
Two of the names associated with Reality Therapy (RT) are that of William Glasser, considered the father of RT, and Robert Wubbolding. According to The William Glasser Institute (2010a), Glasser first founded The Institute for Reality Therapy in 1967. In 1994 the Institute was renamed The Institute for Control Theory, Reality Therapy and Quality Management to reflect its teachings, but two years later was again renamed The William Glasser Institute. Wubbolding has been Director of Training and Chair of the Professional Development Committee since 1987 at the Institute and was hand picked by Glasser. Glasser developed his Choice Theory though the writings of William Powers on Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) (the William Glasser Institute, 2010b). Powers had two accomplishments to his name about PCT. First, Powers discovered or noted that behavior is the control of perception. Contrary to what was believed by psychologists ever since Rene Descartes (1596-1650) who was a French philospher regarded as the father of modern philosophy (Descartes, n.d.). Second, Powers devolped the theory on how behavior works (Perceptual Control Theory, 2004). Reality Therapy is a treatment that is use to cope with present demands, limit distortions, and anticipate future needs, without dwelling in the past (Reality therapy, 2009) and stresses personal commitment, change in behavior, and responsibility (Reality therapy, 2006). In general RT is effective in any case where self-evaluation is key and behavior is the direct cause of wants and needs. The RT approach works best in a short-term, direct and active therapy setting. RT can help treat those who have life issues due to self-esteem, depression, phobias, or are in recovery programs (both physical and substance abuse), and coping issues as in dealing with unexpected life changes (Wubbolding & Brickell, 2007). Because of this RT has been well received in schools,
Two of the names associated with Reality Therapy (RT) are that of William Glasser, considered the father of RT, and Robert Wubbolding. According to The William Glasser Institute (2010a), Glasser first founded The Institute for Reality Therapy in 1967. In 1994 the Institute was renamed The Institute for Control Theory, Reality Therapy and Quality Management to reflect its teachings, but two years later was again renamed The William Glasser Institute. Wubbolding has been Director of Training and Chair of the Professional Development Committee since 1987 at the Institute and was hand picked by Glasser. Glasser developed his Choice Theory though the writings of William Powers on Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) (the William Glasser Institute, 2010b). Powers had two accomplishments to his name about PCT. First, Powers discovered or noted that behavior is the control of perception. Contrary to what was believed by psychologists ever since Rene Descartes (1596-1650) who was a French philospher regarded as the father of modern philosophy (Descartes, n.d.). Second, Powers devolped the theory on how behavior works (Perceptual Control Theory, 2004). Reality Therapy is a treatment that is use to cope with present demands, limit distortions, and anticipate future needs, without dwelling in the past (Reality therapy, 2009) and stresses personal commitment, change in behavior, and responsibility (Reality therapy, 2006). In general RT is effective in any case where self-evaluation is key and behavior is the direct cause of wants and needs. The RT approach works best in a short-term, direct and active therapy setting. RT can help treat those who have life issues due to self-esteem, depression, phobias, or are in recovery programs (both physical and substance abuse), and coping issues as in dealing with unexpected life changes (Wubbolding & Brickell, 2007). Because of this RT has been well received in schools,
References: Descartes. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved November 17, 2010, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Descartes Perceptual Control Theory. (2004). In The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/wileypsych/perceptual_control_theory Reality therapy. (2006). In Encyclopedia of Special Education: A Reference for the Education of the Handicapped and Other Exceptional Children and Adults. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/wileyse/reality_therapy Reality therapy. (2009). In Taber 's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/tcmd/reality_therapy The William Glasser Institute. (2010a). Who We Are: The William Glasser Institute. Retrieved from http://wglasser.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=59 The William Glasser Institute. (2010b). Who We Are: Dr. William Glasser. Retrieved from http://www.wglasser.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=58 Wubbolding, R. (1975). Practicing Reality Therapy. Personnel & Guidance Journal, 54(3), 164. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Wubbolding, R. (2007). Glasser Quality School. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 11(4), 253-261. doi:10.1037/1089-2699.11.4.253. Wubbolding, R., & Brickell, J. (2007). Frequently asked questions and brief answers: Part I. International Journal of Reality Therapy, 27(1), 29-30. Retrieved from PsycINFO database.